McClain: Texans' Deshaun Watson has chance to make history in opener - Houston Chronicle

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Monday's Texans takeaways while they continue to prepare for Thursday night’s season opener at Kansas City:

Watson can make NFL history

After a memorable weekend in which he signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension that makes him the second-highest paid player in NFL history behind Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson has a chance to make history against the Chiefs.

If Watson throws for at least 284 yards at Arrowhead Stadium, he’ll become the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 10,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing in his first 39 games. If he throws for at least 284 yards without an interception, Watson will be the first in history with 10,000 yards passing and fewer than 30 interceptions in his first 39 games.

Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who’s making his play-calling debut at Arrowhead Stadium, knows Watson’s ability to improvise is a big part of his game and doesn’t want to tinker with it.

“There’s a fine line there (but) you don’t really want to coach that portion out of him because that’s part of what makes him so special,” Kelly said in a Zoom conference call. “We just need to continue to work on (his) command of the offense.

“Understanding where (his) outlets are. Understanding the defense and being able to better anticipate what may be coming before the ball is snapped. Those are things I would imagine  every quarterback in the NFL is looking to improve upon, and Deshaun is no different in that area.”

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Prime time is Watson's time

The Texans are playing the Chiefs on Thursday night. Deshaun Watson has a 6-2 record as a starter in prime-time games. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes and three interceptions. His rating is 121.9. He’s also rushed for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

In two games at Arrowhead Stadium last season — the 31-24 victory during the regular season and the 51-31 playoff loss — Watson threw three touchdown passes without an interception and ran for three more. When Watson drops back, defenses know to expect the unexpected.

“It’s crazy because the first game, anything goes,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on a conference call this week. “That’s how it rolls. You’ve got to be ready for everything. Expect anything, and you’ve got to be ready for it. You’ve got to be able to adjust. We say that in every game but no more so than in the first game.”

Watt a Chief concern

Defensive end J.J. Watt is healthy and eager to begin the season. He had four sacks and was leading the league in quarterback hits when he suffered the torn pectoral muscle that cost him the second half of the season in 2019. He returned in the playoffs.

Andy Reid was asked how the Chiefs prepare for Watt?

“We go back through all the old tapes and look at him,” he said. “Indy’s got a pretty good offensive line, and he was a wrecking crew in that game. He completely disrupted the whole game.”

In the Texans’ loss at Indianapolis last season, Watt knocked down quarterback Jacoby Brissett six times.

“He played his tail off against us,” Reid said. “We’ve gone against him so many times, and every time is the same thing. He rolls fast and furious, so we’ve got to be ready for that.”

New starters on defensive line

The Chiefs will see two new starters in the Texans’ defensive line if they open in their base 3-4. Brandon Dunn has replaced D.J. Reader at nose tackle. Dunn started 10 games on the nose in 2018. Charles Omenihu, the second-year defensive end, will start on the right side in place of Angelo Blackson, who was released and signed with Arizona. In passing situations, Omenihu will move inside.

In training camp and practices preparing for the Chiefs, Omenihu has impressed his coaches, especially defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

“He’s got tremendous physical tools,” Weaver said. “He has the  longest arms on the team. That provides you an advantage when you can keep those offensive linemen at arm’s length, and they can’t get both hands on you. It gives you an innate ability to just power the pocket.

“The other thing you love about Chuck is his hunger to be a good player. He absolutely yearns for that, and he puts the work in as a result. We asked him to put on weight (and) he did that. We asked him to get stronger (and) he did that. You see the results on the field, so I think the sky’s the limit for that kid.”

Fuller excited for opener

Receiver Will Fuller, who’s in the last year of his contract,  is ecstatic to begin the season. The Chiefs are allowing 17,000 fans to attend the game at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I don’t care if it’s zero fans (or) 80,000 fans, I’m just going out there trying to have fun to help my team win,” Fuller said. “I’m excited to play on Thursday. It’s definitely a weird time (because of the coronavirus), but we’re still blessed to be able to play football. It means a lot.”

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